By Abdulateeef Bamgbose
Senate has announced Senator Orji Uzor Kalu (APC, Abia North) as the Chairman of its Committee on the newly created South East Development Commission, SEDC, one of the Regional Development Commissions signed into law by President Bola Tinubu.
Prior to his new appointment which was made by Senate President Godswill Akpabio during plenary on Monday, the former Abia State governor chaired the Senate Committee on Privatisation.
Senator Ken Eze (Ebonyi Central) was also appointed Vice Chairman of the Committee. Akapbio noted that other members will he announced in due course.
With this development, Kalu, who also chaired the screening ad-hoc committee on regional development commissions of the North West and South East, is expected to lead other members to conduct oversight of the South-East Development Commission to achieve its laid down objectives, some of which include; civil restitution, tackling of erosion, restoration of security, infrastructure among others.
It would be recalled that the Senate confirmed the board membership of SEDC after considering the report of Senator Kalu.
The 18 members, led by Dr Emeka Nworgu, were also confirmed, with Mark Okoye as the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer.
Others are Ugochukwu H. Agballah, Okey Ezenwa, Chief Hyacinth Ikpor, Chidi Echeazu, Ifeanyi Agwu, Nasiru Usman, Hamma Adama Ali, Kumo Edward David Onoja and Orure Kufre Inima.
They also include Daniel Akwari, Chief (Mrs) Joke Adebayo-Chukwuma, Hon. Stanley Ohajuruka (E.D. Finance), Chief Sylvester Okonkwo ( E.D. Corporate Services) and Hon. Toby Okechukwu ( E.D. Projects).
Others are Senator Anthony Agbo (E.D. Commercial and Industrial Development ) and Dr. Clifford Ogbede (E.D. Natural Resources, Agriculture and Rural Development).
